It has often been said that the biggest asset of San Pedro City, Laguna is its people. And in his drive to make the city “Una sa Laguna,” San Pedro City Mayor Art Mercado’s administration hopes to enrich that asset through the promotion of arts and culture.
This was the main goal of the San Pedro City LGU as it launched the “Ani sa Sining” art exhibit at the SM Center San Pedro last February 19.
The exhibit, which ran from February 19 to 22, showcased artworks – sculptures and drawings – made by amateur and professional visual arts practitioners in San Pedro City.
Mayor Mercado led the launch event, along with San Pedro City Tourism, Culture and Arts Office (CTCAO) head Jhe-Rico Sam Colina; Councilor Bernadeth Olivares, head of the Sangguniang Panglungsod Committee on Tourism; Barangay United Bayanihan Captain Calixto Alviar; and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President Raphael Antonio Ty.
Prominent actor, director and cultural worker Rodolfo "Bayaw Jun" Sabayton and Mx. Ryan Tan, curator of the Presidential Car Museum, also served as guest panelists during the event.
Talking points
In his speech during the event, Mercado underscored the importance of creating an "accessible and inclusive" cultural landscape in San Pedro City.
"Magandang jumpstart po ito para mapayabong natin ang ating local arts and culture scene. Kayong mga minamahal naming mga artist ang patunay na angkop ang tema ng ating National Arts Month ngayon na Isang Bayang Malikhain, Una ng Ating Mahusay na Sining," the city mayor noted.
"Ang ating lungsod ng San Pedro ay mayaman rin sa ganitong mga bagay, kaya sa palagay ko dapat ay gamitin niyong inspirasyon ng inyong mga obra ang ating kultura at kasaysaya upang masiguro natin na ang lahat ng mga ito’y maipamamana natin sa ating mga anak at sa ating mga inapo," he added.
Meanwhile, CTCAO head Colina stressed the cultural impact of art and culture in the Filipinos’ lives.
“As we embark with this journey of artistic discovery, let us remember the impact of art in our lives and society. Let us support our local artist, nurture our cultural heritage, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the arts and for all its work,” he said in his own speech.
That was the same talking point “Bayaw Jun” Sabayton raised during the panel discussion, where he called on local governments and other stakeholders to give culture and the arts as much importance as that being given to economic development.
"Kung mas sineseryoso natin ‘yung art, ‘yung understanding natin sa sining, dapat tumataas din ‘yung pang-unawa ng mamamayan. ‘Pag tumataas ang pang-unawa natin sa sining, sa edukasyon, hindi na tayo maloloko ng mga pulitiko," the actor noted.
For Sabayton, who had used his talents and fame for various advocacies, art and culture should serve to mobilize the Filipinos and instill in them the values needed to bring about much-needed reforms in government and society.
“Para lang kayong mga bahagi ng makinang pinapatakbo ng lipunan, walang sigla at walang ganda. Napakaboring naman ng mamamayang na walang sining sa katawan. Kaya sa susunod na pagkakataong may magtanong sa inyo kung mahalaga ba ang art, heto dapat ang tugon natin, ‘Ang iyong pagkatao ay binibigyan-sigla ng sining at nagkakakulay dahil sa art,’ lalo na kung andito pa si Art Mercado, ‘di ba? At pag nagsabing art-art ay makakaen ba ‘yan? Malamang hindi, pero sigurado ako, mamamatay kang bored kung walang art. Hindi man ito makakain ng literal, pero higit sa lahat ay nakabubusog naman ito ng kaluluwa.”
Other activities
Aside from the “Ani sa Sining” exhibit, the CTCAO also spearheaded other activities to encourage San Pedrenses to unleash their artistic talents.
These include a "Poetry Slam" poetry writing contest; the "Tunog San Pedro" songwriting competition for the official jingle for the 2024 Sampaguita Festival; and the Talent Competition for the Ginoo and Binibining San Pedro held at the Robinsons Galleria South Mall last February 22.
Finalists for the Poetry Slam Competition included Christian Pasul Betinol's "Panata Namin nina Juan, Nena at Buboy" and Dannie-Oscar Legara Cruz's "Susi ng Nakaraan.”
Meanwhile, Julius Mariano from Barangay GSIS was chosen as the Grand Champion the Tunog San Pedro 2024 Sampaguita Festival Music Jingle competition for his composition "Sulong San Pedro."